ILLINOIS STATE NEWS

(CHICAGO) Governor Bruce Rauner has signed two bills to make it more desirable for Illinois students to attend college in their home state. One of the new laws will ease worries about Monetary Award Program grants from year to year as it will give returning eligible students priority when they reapply. The other new law makes it easier for students to transfer credits from one Illinois college to another, with the idea to help prevent students from spending time and money on needless credits. Nearly 130,000 students in Illinois received MAP grants in FY2018 with all but those graduating to be eligible for priority status in FY2019.

(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois Department of Agriculture has teamed up with Bicycle Illinois and the Springfield Bicycle Club to host a unique bicycle ride that will make nearly a dozen stops on a “spoke to farm” tour that highlights Central Illinois agritourism. The inaugural Prairie Heritage Ride will take place September 10 thru 14, Monday thru Friday, with stops in Springfield, Lincoln, Bloomington, Champaign, and Decatur. From vineyards and breweries to historic farms and popular agritourism sites, the riders will experience Illinois agriculture throughout the tour. For more, go online to www.prairieheritageride.com.

(SPRINGFIELD) The 2018 Illinois State Fair continues today in Springfield. This Friday is First Responder Day when all police officers, firefighters, and EMT’s who show their badge will be admitted free, plus on stage tonight at 8:00 it’s country music star Brett Eldredge. Tomorrow will be Park District Conservation Day with more livestock shows, USAC Silver Crown Racing at 12:30, the demo derby in the Arena at 6:30 tomorrow night, and Flo Rida & Ludacris with Childish Major on the Grandstand stage at 8:00. The final day of the State Fair is Sunday, Family Day, with a general admission price lowered to $5 per adult, featuring a music festival, ARCA Racing at 1:30, and on stage to wrap up the State Fair at 8:00 Sunday night is Brantley Gilbert with Muscadine Bloodline. Also, plenty of daily events including special music, food, carnival rides, agriculture fair tours, and more, plus Conservation World each day from 10:00 to 7:00. For more on the daily schedule, tickets, and more, go online at www2.illinois.gov/statefair/info.